Derrick rose to his feet, fury overtaking fear. But the remaining B-rank demons weren't about to let him go.
"GET OUT OF MY WAY!"
He roared, mana exploding from his core in a burst of raw, unfiltered force. The ground split open, a forest of stone spears erupting around him, impaling the nearest demons. Blood rained. But more came.
He pushed through, clawing toward Stephanie as time seemed to slow.
Stephanie looked up at him, still smiling through the pain, her face bloodied and bruised.
It was the kind of smile you never forget.
"You have to make it out, Derrick," she said softly. "You've got family waiting, unlike us."
She was talking about herself and their dead squadmates.
The demon above her raised its leg, aiming to crush her head under its foot.
"STEPHANIE!!"
But then,
Shhhhhing—
A soft, clean sound of a blade sliding from its sheath was heard. Followed by the heads of every demon blocking Derrick falling off at once.
